Bus and underground managers in Rome have been accused to selling fake tickets and using the proceeds to fund the political parties which appointed them.
The city’s new mayor has said the managers were “worse than the mafia”.
They stand accused of selling €70 million work of tickets for the bus and metro systems.
The transit system carries a billion passengers every year. It takes in €249 million in fares annually, but operates at a €150 million loss.
An internal report obtained by the Italian newspaper La Repubblica is said to claim that staff created a secret centre where tickets were cloned for sale and the proceeds not shown in the books.
Potential income is further hit by the number of people who take a chance by not buying a ticket, hoping that no inspector will board, and riding for free.
The alleged bogus ticket scam was said to be operating under the previous centre-left city government and carried on under the centre-right administration. La Repubblica claims that both the People of Freedom party and the Democratic party received funds.
The present mayor, Ignazio Marino, said: "I will react with a scythe, heads will roll, I guarantee it."
